iThinkCafe

Effective Meetings

dennismbauer@gmail.com (Dennis Bauer) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:10:00 +0000

I found this article about conducting an effective meeting. In my business career I've been to more than my share of meetings that were a complete waste of time. Here's a couple of excerpts from the article and a link.

"Every meeting has a start time and an end time. That means it starts on time and ends on time."

"Every meeting is run by someone who is responsible for every aspect of the meeting including agenda, attendance, punctuality, and documentation."

"Key decisions that are reached during the meeting regarding strategies, plans or objectives should be published by whoever ran the meeting within one day. That also goes for follow-up or action required and an owner for each item."

Here's the link to the complete article. (There's also Five rules of engagement for effective meetings.)

Three Characteristics of Every Successful Leader

dennismbauer@gmail.com (Dennis Bauer) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:28:00 +0000

Here's a link to a video by Dr. Henry Cloud about Three Characteristics of Every Successful Leader. It'll cost you 6 minutes and 36 seconds to get his insights or you can buy his book titled: "Integrity: The Courage to Meet the Demands of Reality"

click here for the video

Thought Provoking Questions

dennismbauer@gmail.com (Dennis Bauer) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 18:01:00 +0000

I've been reading a few books and have a couple of thoughts I wanted to share:

From the book Integrity: The Courage to Meet the Demands of Reality

"What is it like to be on the other side of me?"
1. Are people more trusting after working with us?
2. Are people more fulfilled?
3. Have they grown?
4. Do they feel better about themselves and working with others?
5. Did they learn from me and feel lifted up and encouraged?
6. Were they stretched and inspired to become more than they were?
7. Did our relationship cause them to produce more?
8. Are they wounded?
9. Less trusting?
10. Are they feeling put down, cheated or manipulated?
11. Disappointed, let down, or lied to?
12. Are they angry and waiting for the chance to get even?
13. Do they feel inferior, like a loser, or ashamed because of how you interacted with them?
14. Would they want to do it again?

Share your thoughts!

Food Inflation

dennismbauer@gmail.com (Dennis Bauer) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:36:00 +0000

Here's a link that compares food prices in 2007 to 2008. Interesting stuff for all of you out there who care. :)

BTW, lemons have had the largest % increase...buy tangerines instead they've had the largest % decrease.

For the complete list click here.

GREED

dennismbauer@gmail.com (Dennis Bauer) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:19:00 +0000

I've been reading some news articles that I thought I should share. These articles illustrate what happens when we get greedy and can't delay satisfaction.

Soon our nation will be entirely owned by foreign investors, banks and government included.

Link #1

Link #2

(The government will have to borrow the money from a foreign lender to fund the proposal found on Link #2)

I think someone just needs to let the house of cards tumble so we can eventually get out of this mess!

Let me know your thoughts!

Health & Fitness

dennismbauer@gmail.com (Dennis Bauer) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 21:53:00 +0000

I enjoy health and fitness topics. I happened upon this article that really drives the point home. Little changes can make a big difference!

Check it out here.

Water Powered Car

dennismbauer@gmail.com (Dennis Bauer) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:14:00 +0000

The answer we've all been waiting for? Do you think they can make an SUV version?

Here's an article you can read.

Watch the video here:

Evangelical Manifesto

dennismbauer@gmail.com (Dennis Bauer) — Wed, 21 May 2008 14:10:00 +0000

Here's a couple of links that I thought would be worthwhile for you to follow. (Especially any RSM students out there.)

Evangelicals Lament a Politicized Faith

Evangelical Manifesto

I think this is timely, especially in light of An Emergent Manifesto of Hope, the popularity of A New Earth and the pluralistic tendencies of both.

Let me know your thoughts!

Oprah Let's God Out The Box

dennismbauer@gmail.com (Dennis Bauer) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:06:00 +0000

For those of you in RSM here's how Oprah reconciled her Christian beliefs with her "neo-spirituality." Thought that you'd enjoy this since we're discussing "syncretism."

21st Century Ark

dennismbauer@gmail.com (Dennis Bauer) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 19:34:00 +0000

I haven't blogged in a while for two reasons:

1. RSM
2. Spring

When I saw this I just had to send you a link. This ship is something else...I'm sure we could fit two of every animal on it. :)

Follow this link.

Migration

dennismbauer@gmail.com (Dennis Bauer) — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 12:43:00 +0000

The birds are finally back in Michigan after a long winter but that's not the kind of "migration" I'm talking about.

The Census Bureau estimates to be released today indicate that Americans continued their trend of moving to the Sun Belt in 2006 and 2007. Here's some facts:

"Dallas-Fort Worth added more than 162,000 residents between July 2006 and July 2007, more than any other metro area. Three other Texas areas - Houston, Austin and San Antonio - also cracked the top 10...Atlanta saw the second-largest population jump with just over 151,000 new residents. Phoenix was third with more than 132,000, and was followed by Houston, Riverside, Calif., Charlotte, N.C., Chicago, Austin, Las Vegas and San Antonio."

By percentage:

"On a percentage basis, the Palm Coast, Fla., area was the fastest-growing in the nation. Population there jumped by 7.2 percent to more than 536,000. The next areas experiencing the biggest surge in growth were St. George, Utah; Raleigh, N.C; Gainesville, Ga.; and Austin."

Detroit took a big hit:

"Detroit lost more than three times as many people as any other metro area - its population declined more than 27,300."

Let me know your thoughts. The full article is here.

Multitude of Counselors

dennismbauer@gmail.com (Dennis Bauer) — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:26:00 +0000

Proverbs 11: 14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

I'd like your thoughts about the latest news on the economy, banking system and value of the dollar. What are some practical things we can do to hedge against a "recession?"

Check out this photo:

This billboard in Bolivia says, "If the dollar falls … save in euros!!!" What do you think about that?

Revolution in Web Technology

dennismbauer@gmail.com (Dennis Bauer) — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:16:00 +0000

Move over Google. Read this article to find out where the internet is going next! Imagine this connecting to your GPS enabled cell phone...

Seven Deadly Sins

dennismbauer@gmail.com (Dennis Bauer) — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:13:00 +0000

Here's the latest from Rome about the seven deadly sins.

Here's the old seven:

sloth
envy
gluttony
greed
lust
wrath
pride

Here's the new:

genetic modification
carrying out experiments on humans
polluting the environment
causing social injustice
causing poverty
becoming obscenely wealthy
taking drugs

What do you think? Do we really need a new list? Check out the full article here.

New Look

dennismbauer@gmail.com (Dennis Bauer) — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:03:00 +0000

Check out my blog's new look thanks to Ashley Porter! Be sure to visit www.ithinkcafe.com to view it. Sorry I haven't posted lately, hopefully it'll be worth the wait. :)

American Idol

dennismbauer@gmail.com (Dennis Bauer) — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 01:59:00 +0000

I haven't been watching American Idol but someone told me to check out 17 year old David Archuleta. So here he is... What a great voice! You should take a couple of minutes to listen!

The Art of Delegation

dennismbauer@gmail.com (Dennis Bauer) — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:44:00 +0000

Today on Tony Morgan's Blog he referenced a blog called "Indexed." I thought I'd visit and I found this insight piece of artwork (okay it may not be art to you...but to me it's artistic!)

Enjoy the insight!

A Summary of my Antigua Trip

dennismbauer@gmail.com (Dennis Bauer) — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 15:45:00 +0000

It's great to be back home! I had an incredible time in Antigua...I dug out my old book from the Spanish School and discovered it was 2003 when I was there the last time...WOW time flies. I don't think 5 year intervals is going work well for learning a language. I have to get there again before I'm 50! Yesterday was my daughter Kaitlyn's 12th birthday...we took her to Los Amigos. I practiced my Spanish on our waitress, I think she was convinced I spoke Spanish. :)

Here's a few photos from my trip:

This was my room for 10 days.

(Click this link) Lake Atitlan, Panajachel

(Click this Link) Azotea Coffee Plantation in Antigua

(Click this link) Antigua, Guatemala with (Click this link) Volcan de Agua in the background

By the way. All of my picture have the date stamp on them...does anyone know how to remove it from my digital photos. I still have the photos on my SD card. Not only is the date wrong but it messes-up a lot of my photos.

Let me know if you'd like to go learn Spanish with me some time!

¿Habla español?

dennismbauer@gmail.com (Dennis Bauer) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 18:19:00 +0000

For anyone interested here's where I'll be for the next week or so.

Christian Spanish Academy

Here's my extended weather forecast (I know that's a little bit of a dig to all of you stuck in Michigan.)

Here's where I am on the map

(Click on link I provided for the map, then click the satellite button and zoom in "all the way" It'll feel like you're there with me!)

Prayer for a safe and educational trip!

Thanks...

If I can get internet I'll post some pictures for you!

Fluid Mac Application

dennismbauer@gmail.com (Dennis Bauer) — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:04:00 +0000

For all of you Mac Users out there you're going to love this!!!

You can take any webpage and throw it into your dock just like an application.

Check out the video and follow this link.

Pop Goes the Church

dennismbauer@gmail.com (Dennis Bauer) — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:35:00 +0000

I had the privilege of being chosen to be part of a team to review the manuscript for Tim Stevens new book "Pop Goes the Church" before it went to print. The book's about "Pop Culture" and how the church can effectively use culture to transform our communities. I've been sworn to secrecy until the book is released but here's some thoughts I had during the process.

For anyone serious about the "Great Commission" in the 21st Century this is a must read and I don't say that lightly. Whether you agree with Tim or not about "Pop Culture" his book will make you realign and clarify your beliefs about the Church's "cultural relevancy."

The book is a great read with loads of quotes and stories that are both impacting and insightful. Additionally, the last couple of chapters are jam packed with ideas, resources and reference materials that make the book a "must have!" (I'm not exaggerating!)

I wish I could tell you more, but I can't. You'll have to buy the book and check it our yourself. When I hear more about it's release date I'll let you know. We'll probably stock a few in the RLC bookstore for your convenience! I wonder if any of my comments will make the final manuscript...I'll have to read the book again to find out. :)

More Global Cooling?

dennismbauer@gmail.com (Dennis Bauer) — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 22:10:00 +0000

Russia is embracing for -67F How cold is that?!?

Check this article.

MacBook Air

dennismbauer@gmail.com (Dennis Bauer) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 23:48:00 +0000

That's a THIN computer. You can read all about it here.

Here's the ad from Apple.

Global Cooling?!?

dennismbauer@gmail.com (Dennis Bauer) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 20:39:00 +0000

Here's the latest from the science community about what we should expect for global climate conditions in the near future. A far cry from Al Gore's doomsday predictions.

“The last time this particular cycle regenerated was over 200 years ago. I call it the “Bi-Centennial Cycle” solar cycle. It took place between 1793 and 1830, the so-called Dalton Minimum, a period of extreme cold that resulted in what historian John D. Post called the ‘last great subsistence crisis.’ With that cold came massive crops losses, food riots, famine and disease. I believe this next climate change will be much stronger and has the potential to once more cause widespread crop losses globally with the resultant ill effects. The key difference for this next Bi-Centennial Cycle’s impact versus the last is that we will have over 8 billion mouths to feed in the next coldest years where as we had only 1 billion the last time. Among other effects like social and economic disruption, we are facing the real prospect of the ‘perfect storm of global food shortages’ in the next climate change. In answer to the question, everyone on the street will be affected.”

The full article is here.

Innovation is Risky

dennismbauer@gmail.com (Dennis Bauer) — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 01:58:00 +0000

Read this quote from CEO Paul Otellini of Intel Corp.

"Intel, as a leader, has to advance the silicon technology every generation."

"Our business model is one of very high risk: We dig a very big hole in the ground, spend three billion dollars to build a factory in it, which takes three years, to produce technology we haven't invented yet, to run products we haven't designed yet, for markets which don't exist."

"We do that two or three times a year."

He added: "Everything we do has an inherent belief in technology."

I think we need to take this approach when it comes to spreading the gospel!!!

For the full article click here.